Not many actors in Hollywood are as strong as Jeremy Strong. Since the 2000’s, Strong has become a beloved American icon. Whether it’s rebellious protestors, political leaders or financial investors, Strong has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Apprentice
Donald Trump is a legendary American politician that earned my father’s appreciation. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a father appreciating the political leader in America. I remember my father was once fascinated with the life of a political leader that guided his nation during times of terror. He would always strive to explain why he admired a president that sought to make America great again. In 2024, Jeremy Strong honoured the apprentice in his movie “The Apprentice”. In the greatest role of his career, Strong portrayed a politician that collaborated with Trump to engage in warfare. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and funny in his most memorable role. Strong has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes in American period dramas. With “The Apprentice”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing a legendary politician that’s well-known. Working alongside Sebastian Stan who is also outstanding, Strong honoured a president that’s awe-inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Roy Cohn becomes aware of Donald Trump’s talent for leadership is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Apprentice” Jeremy Strong’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most political movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with American politics to appreciate it. Nearly 50 years after Donald Trump became a successful businessman that changed America, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with charisma whose unforgettable movies have always attracted audiences towards Cinema.
2. The Big Short
The financial crisis is a subject that has always fascinated by father. At an early age, I bonded with a father that possessed knowledge about a financial crisis causing damage. I recall fond memories of a father interested in the economy’s downfall. As someone treasuring fond memories of a father that was interested in the economy’s downfall, I loved “Margin Call”. Released in 2011, Jeremy Strong’s movie captured factors that led to the downfall of the economy. In the most intellectual role of his career, the actor portrayed a financial investor that became the victim of an economic downfall causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase comedic timing he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Ryan Gosling who is also amazing, Strong captured a financial crisis that’s frightening. For instance, the scene in which Vinny becomes aware that the economy is going to crash causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Big Short” a masterpiece is its universal message. The film delivers a profound message about crisis which would resonate with everyone. A devastating depiction of disastrous factors leading to the economy’s downfall, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to enthral audiences whose movies are always easy to commonly recall.
3. Detroit
Racial segregation is a time period in American history that earned my teacher’s appreciation. I remember a high school teacher that was fascinated with a time period that put lives of African-Americans in grave danger. He would often strive to educate students about a time that caused lives of black citizens in America to deteriorate. In 2017, Jeremy Strong captured the troubled time period of segregation in his movie “Detroit”. In the most political role of his career, Strong portrayed an attorney investigating racist riots causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under intense pressure. Working alongside John Boyega who is also amazing, Strong created a portrait of racism that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Lang becomes aware of racist protests is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Detroit” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with African-American history to appreciate it. The film delivers a meaningful message about racism which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of racism, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies deserve immense stardom.
4. Selma
Martin Luther King Jr. is a legendary political leader that always inspired my grandfather. I fondly recall with nostalgia joyous memories of a grandpa that appreciated the iconic president which changed America. I remember my grandfather was a fan of a great leader that fought racism in a nation facing terror. In 2014, Jeremy Strong honoured the iconic politician that changed America in his movie “Selma”. In the most historic role of his career, Strong portrayed a politician that sought to repair a broken nation facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing an iconic historical figure that’s well-known. Working alongside David Oyelowo who is also amazing, Strong honoured a politician that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which James witnesses Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his first speech seeking to prepare a nation for warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Selma” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most history biopics, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about leadership that will resonate with everyone. A spectacular tribute towards an iconic African-American political leader, it’s a sensational reminder of an actor that has made movies throughout his career which audiences treasure.
5. The Trial of the Chicago 7
Courtroom dramas are a genre of movies that my uncle has always loved dearly. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of an uncle that adored the courtroom drama genre. My uncle grew up to embrace a genre in which 12 angry men would fight a courtroom case. As someone treasuring memories of an uncle that regarded courtroom dramas with affection, I adored “The Trial of the Chicago 7”. Released in 2020, Jeremy Strong’s movie honoured a real-life trial that took place in Chicago. In the most impassioned role of his career, Strong portrayed an emotional protestor that becomes involved in a courtroom case causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Sacha Baron Cohen who is also amazing, Strong created a legal drama that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Jerry and his group of protestors experience police brutality causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Trial of the Chicago 7” a great courtroom drama is its relevance. Despite taking place in the 1960’s, it tackles timely themes that remain relevant today. A captivating portrait of a commemorated courtroom trial, it’s a compelling reminder of a one-of-a-kind actor whose movies have always left audiences with a lasting smile.
6. Zero Dark Thirty
When it comes to terrorists that deserve recognition, it’s worth discussing Osama Bin Laden. A terrifying terrorist, Bin Laden committed serious crimes that changed America. In 2012, Jeremy Strong captured the terrorist’s legacy in his movie “Zero Dark Thirty”. In the most intellectual role of his career, Strong portrayed a political advisor seeking to resolve a terrorism crisis causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a historical figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Jessica Chastain who is also amazing, Strong honoured a terrorist that committed crimes which are frightening. Nearly 15 years after Osama Bin Laden was hunted down for crimes he had committed, it’s a strong reminder about a commemorated actor that has made movies in his career which deserve to be absolutely appreciated.
7. Molly’s Game
Few women have built successful careers in poker that bloom like Molly Bloom. During the early 2000’s, Bloom became a poker player when she created her own game. Bloom’s rule-breaking games attracted attention of police authorities. In 2017, Jeremy Strong celebrated the icon that achieved fame in the poker game in his movie “Molly’s Game”. In the most devious role of his career, Strong portrayed a criminal organizing illegal poker games causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase talent for playing mischievous characters engaging in devious behaviour. Working alongside Jessica Chastain who is also amazing, Strong honoured a poker player that’s inspiring. 20 years after Molly Bloom changed the poker game, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has made movies throughout his career achieving fame.
8. Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln is a legendary president that built a lasting legacy. Lincoln guided the country during the dark time period of slavery. With his bold presence, wisdom and strong leadership, Lincoln became a symbol of hope for America. In 2012, Jeremy Strong honoured the president deserving recognition in his movie “Lincoln”. In the most scene-stealing role of his career, Strong portrayed a political advisor that sought to prepare a nation for warfare. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong political leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Daniel Day-Lewis who is also amazing, Strong honoured a president that’s inspiring. A profound tribute towards a powerful president, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with commitment that has become an icon in modern entertainment.
9. Black Mass
Jeremy Strong has often excelled at playing emotional characters that are strong. Strong has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional heroes facing damage. Strong’s strength for playing heroes that face mass destruction is clearly evident in his movie “Black Mass”. Released in 2015, Scott Cooper’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most emotional role of his career, Strong portrayed an FBI agent seeking to apprehend a gangster causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under intense pressure. Working alongside Johnny Depp who is also amazing, Strong honoured a gangster that’s frightening. As strong as crimes Whitey Bulger seeks to organize, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has made unforgettable movies audiences prize.
10. The Happening
Jeremy Strong hasn’t always made great movies that are strong. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Happening” falls into the latter category. Released in 2008, M. Night Shyamalan’s horror movie was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, the actor portrayed a commemorated military commander seeking to prepare for warfare. Strong brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Happening” is a bad movie, it honoured Strong’s legacy. As strong as Elliot’s desire to defend family from a happening catastrophe, it’s riveting reminder of an actor that has built a legacy making great movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 